Nyimba District

Location: Nyimba District is situated 320 km east of Lusaka and 250km west of Chipata. It is located in the southern part of Eastern Province, and lies between 13°30′ latitude and 14°45′ longitude, 31° west and 32° east.

Area: 10,449 Km²

Population (CSO 2010): 85,684

Males: 42,729 (49.0%)

Females: 42,955 (51.0%)

Households: 16,718

Growth Rates: District (2.0) Males (2.1) Female (1.9)

Population Density: 8.2 persons per km2

Constituencies and Wards: The district has 1 constituency and 13 wards

Climate: The district falls within the tropical continental climate commonly known as Savannah with an annual average rainfall of 600mm.During the drought years, an average of 490mm has been recorded, the District experiences three distinct season namely;-cold and dry; hot and dry; and warm and wet season known as the rain season which starts from November to mid April while the cold and dry season (cold season) extends from mid April to mid August to mid November. Temperatures vary from high to medium. During the hot and dry season, the temperatures rise up to a minimum of 32 degrees Celsius and drop to a minimum of 15 degrees Celsius in the cold season on the plateau. However, in the Luangwa valley temperatures remain high in the hot and dry season and drop to medium levels in the cold season. The Districts experiences a mean annual rainfall of 600mm.

Soil and Vegetation: The soils of the district vary from loam two sandy loams. Sandy soils are mainly found on the plateau especially in the southern direction of the district, sandy clay and clay loam soils are found in the northern direction of the district. Heavy and cracking clay, with Mopane soils are found in the valley. Valley alluvial soils are usually alkaline and poorly drained. There are two main types of vegetation namely; Miombo and Mopane woodlands. Miombo woodlands are found on the plateau and lands adjacent to the northwest of the Luangwa river [around west Petauke Game Management Area no.17].The Mopane woodlands are mainly found along the Luangwa Valley. Typical trees include Baobab and Mopane in the valley and Mukwa on the plateau.

Socio-economic Infrastructure: The district has the following major socio-economic infrastructure:-

Roads: The district has a total of 376 km roads, of which 336 km are rural feeder roads and 40 km are township roads. The district has paved township roads.

Education: The district has a total of 56 schools, of which 38 are GRZ Basic Schools, 3 are GRZ Secondary Schools, 1 is a GRZ High School, 13 are Community Schools, 1 is a Private Primary School.

Health: The district has a total of 18 health facilities, of which 5 are Health Posts, 11 are Rural Health Centres, 1 is Urban Health Centre, and 1 is a District Hospital (Level 1).

Water Supply and Sanitation: Township Water Supply and Sanitation Services in district are provided by the Eastern Water Supply and Sewerage Company (ESWC) through piped water system. Rural Water Supply and sanitation services are provided by the council in form of boreholes, wells and latrines.

Airport: Nyimba District is served with only one Airstrip which is used for small aircrafts.

Public Bus Station: Nyimba is has one public bus stations located within the town and owned by the council.

Energy: Nyimba District is connected the national grid through the … KV line. Power supply to the district is provided by ZESCO. The district has one filling station that supplies petroleum products.

Radio and Television: The district has no local radio station. The district receives ZNBC radio 1 and 2 signals. In terms television, the district receives ZNBC TV signal, and fee paying channels from MuviTV and DSTV Multichoice Zambia.

Communication: Mobile phone providers in the Nyimba are MTN. Airtel and CellZ. Land Line Phone services are provided by Zamtel. The district has 1 Post Office

District Investment and Trade: Nyimba District has the following major investment in commerce, Industry and trading activities:

Agriculture: Major crops grown in the District include Maize, groundnuts, Cotton and sunflower. Rice production is being promoted by Wild life conservation society in the district. Livestock reared include cattle, pigs, goats and chickens.

Mining: The district has a number of precious and semi-precious minerals. These are traced in a belt stretching from the southern part of the district extending towards Mkushi in the north. The ministry of mines issues licenses to prospecting companies but these companies have so far not made their findings known to the district. Some of the known minerals include mica, red garnet, Amethyst Blue sky and Green Tourmaline.

Financial Sector: Nyimba District has no registered commercial bank. However, Indo-Zambia bank is constructing a branch in the district.

Agro-Industry: There no major companies that are involved in Agro- processing in the District. However, there are few individuals doing oil extraction and maize milling on a small scale.

Shopping Facilities: The district has no major supermarkets. The district has few shops mostly owned by local people.

Trade: The main exports commodities in Nyimba District include maize and cotton. Most agricultural products grown in the province have a high potential on the international market. The lint cotton (including cotton cake) is exported to Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa and China).

Five Primary Resources: Agriculture is the mainstay of Nyimba District’s economy. The main primary resources of the district are: Maize, groundnuts, Cotton and sunflower, bananas, Livestock (Cattle, Pigs, Goats and Poultry) and gemstones.